“Watching Jonny had a big effect on me,” he revealed. “I realised that if I wanted to get to the top I needed to follow his example.

“I wanted to play rugby professionally but had no idea what that entailed. I didn’t really do weights, I didn’t really train that hard.

“I loved going out training with the ball but I never worked in the gym. Then I read stories about Jonny training even on Christmas Day and it inspired me to change my attitude and ­overhaul the way I trained.”

It was not just Wilkinson’s on-field example which ­influenced 27-year-old Sexton. It was the person behind the player and the way he dealt with the ­spotlight.

“It’s not easy when you are a young lad thrown into the No.10 jersey for your country,” said the Leinster star. “It is such a big shirt to fill.

“In Ireland, I followed the likes of Ollie Campbell, Tony Ward and Ronan O’Gara. All great players. When things don’t go well and people want you out it’s not easy to take.

“The attention Jonny had in England was obviously much greater but I would have gone through a bit of the same in terms of when you’re good you’re amazing and when you’re not so good you’re terrible. I looked at how he coped with it – how normal, how humble he remained – and that helped me.

(Image: Getty)

“He is an unbelievably good role model.”

And so it is that Sexton will today pull on the red No.10 jersey worn by Wilkinson here in 2001, whilst ­Cardiff Blues star Halfpenny reaches for his Wilko-inspired kicking tee.

There is no question that for the Lions to be successful this morning both must play out of their skins. Equally there is no doubt both are equipped to do so.

“Jonny Sexton is a leader and definitely a big-game player,” defence coach Andy Farrell said yesterday.

“I haven’t seen anyone as thorough in their ­preparation. He demands excellence because that’s what he expects of himself. As for Leigh, he’s phenomenal. He’s a bit like Jonny in that he works unbelievably hard at his game off the field, and on it you don’t really see him make that many mistakes.”

Ahead of the battle to come, Farrell’s pride in the pair is obvious. So too should Wilkinson’s.

Lions in numbers:

Zero: Times Australia have beaten the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane in seven attempts.

Four: Tours Brian O’Driscoll has been a part of - 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 - playing in six Tests.